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The Victims

Fri, Feb 11, 2011, 00:00

THE PILOT was last night named as Jordi Lopez, a Spanish national, and the co-pilot was English national Andrew Cantle. The four passengers who died were Richard Noble from Yorkshire; Pat Cullinan, from Belfast; Michael Evans, from Belfast; and Brendan McAleese, from Tanaghmore, Co Antrim.

PAT CULLINAN

Pat Cullinan was from Plumbridge in Co Tyrone and joined the Belfast office of management consultants KPMG in 1989, qualifying in 1993.

He later worked in London for several years and joined the company’s Dublin office in 2002. He later moved back to Belfast and was appointed a partner in 2005.

Colleagues have paid tribute to his capabilities.

KPMG’s managing partner Terence O’Rourke said: “Pat was an extremely talented professional and a real gentleman. He was highly regarded by all of his colleagues and clients and his tragic and untimely death has come as a shock to everyone in the firm, especially to those in our Belfast office and to all who knew Pat as an exceptional friend and colleague.”

He advised domestic and international clients on a wide range of issues ranging from mergers and acquisitions, property, banking, international leasing, investment management, controlled foreign companies, financial products and structured finance.

He spent seven years in London, advising multinationals on international corporate tax and treasury matters, and had extensive experience on financial services tax issues.

KPMG has confirmed Mr Cullinan was a member of the UK Association of Corporate Treasurers and had dealt directly with the UK Revenue and Customs Service on tax policy matters.

Last night, one of Mr Cullinan’s former lecturers paid tribute to him. SDLP chairman Joe Byrne said: “I’m deeply shocked and saddened at hearing the news of the Cork air crash and the untimely death of Patrick Cullinan from Plumbridge.

“I remember Patrick very well as a student of mine at Omagh College of Further Education when I lectured him in economics.”

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Mr Byrne described him as “a model student who went on to have great achievements at Queen’s and, later, in the accountancy profession”.

“He was an extremely bright and modest student who always excelled at his work. Patrick was a senior partner at KPMG and had a very successful career in accountancy.” He added: “The entire community of Plumbridge, west Tyrone and the Sperrins will be extremely saddened at the news of his death. He was an extremely affable and pleasant man and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. I extend my deepest sympathies and that of the SDLP to his family.”

BRENDAN McALEESE

Brendan McAleese (39) was married with a young family of two. A cousin of Dr Martin McAleese, husband of the President, he was managing director of a successful Tyrone-based company that specialised in cleaning services and the hire of work clothing.

Mrs McAleese, speaking in Dublin last night, said she shared the pain of the bereaved at yesterday’s crash. “I am especially conscious of the pain being experienced tonight by all of the bereaved as one of the deceased was Brendan McAleese, my husband Martin’s cousin,” she said.

“His family have lost a fine and loving husband, father, son and brother and their awful grief is replicated in the lives of all those who lost their loved ones in today’s crash. No words can ease their pain but I hope they draw some small comfort from knowing that our thoughts and prayers, both here and in homes throughout the country, are with them at this darkest hour.”

Central Laundries was established in 1976 and, after it established a fine reputation, was acquired by Spring Grove Services Ltd in 2005.

It provides modern washing and garment processing equipment that incorporates complete garment traceability through the use of barcode technology. It has some 85 employees.

MICHAEL EVANS

Capt Michael Evans was deputy harbour master at Belfast port and was married with a family. He was originally from England before moving to the North.

He completed his master’s certificate in 1989 while employed with the China Navigation Company of Hong Kong, where he was supervising container, bulk, break bulk, forest product and tanker vessels as officer, master and shipbuilding superintendent.

In 1996, he moved to PO ferries to become involved in their fast ferry operation in Northern Ireland and joined Belfast harbour in 2002 as assistant harbour master before being promoted to deputy harbour master in 2005.

He specialised in conservancy, increasing recreational usage and event management.

Harbour master Kevin Allen said: “We’re all devastated by the news of Michael’s death. He was phenomenally committed to his job and to his colleagues, helping ensure that the harbour stayed open to shipping every hour of every day.” He added: “Michael was tremendous fun and unique to work with, and was well known and respected throughout the shipping industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Andrea, and family.”

Len O’Hagan, Belfast harbour chairman, said: “Capt Michael Evans joined Belfast Harbour in 2002 and quickly established himself as a lynchpin in the day-to-day management of the port’s operations . . . Michael will be sorely missed by the harbour, but our thoughts are first and foremost with his family.”